Another Clash

Washington, S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters.

Just as Mark infiltrated the computers and surveillance systems within the Latin Gang's territory, alarms immediately rang out in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s communications department.

"Director, the hacker you had us track last time may have made another move."

Edgar immediately contacted Nick Fury and reported the matter.

Last time, they had already pinpointed Mark's approximate location as Los Angeles.

Afterward, S.H.I.E.L.D. had planted hidden network triggers in internet facilities throughout Los Angeles. Once any of those facilities came under hacker attack, S.H.I.E.L.D. would immediately receive an alert.

"Track him with everything you've got. We can't let him get away again this time!"

Nick Fury's order came through.

The last time they had nearly traced this hacker's whereabouts, an even stronger hacker had appeared and stopped them. That made Nick Fury realize there might be an organization behind him.

Moreover, the second hacker had even managed to infiltrate S.H.I.E.L.D.'s communications department in return, making Nick Fury even more wary.

Now, he no longer merely wanted to recruit talent for S.H.I.E.L.D. He wanted to eliminate this kind of threat altogether!

Just as S.H.I.E.L.D.'s three top hackers joined forces again and began tracing Mark's trail online, Mark quickly received Alice's warning as well.

"Mark, I've detected three hackers jointly investigating your real IP."

"Hm? Could they be the same three hackers who tracked me last time? It's been so long, and they're still refusing to let this go!"

Mark's expression darkened. He did not believe this was merely a coincidence.

Fortunately, Mark was no longer the same as before.

After Super Brain had been upgraded to level 9, all of his abilities, including his hacking skills, had improved significantly.

Besides, with Alice helping him now, Mark was confident they would never be able to trace his real IP.

"Right! Didn't the Latin Gang collude with the nearby police department? Then I'll let this mysterious organization deal with them!"

Thinking of the Latin Gang, Mark's eyes lit up as an idea came to him.

"Tap, tap, tap..."

His fingers flew across the keyboard as he wrote a disguised data packet and sent it to the three hackers tracing him.

The disguised data packet was quickly intercepted. Following its source, the other side was soon lured by Mark into the Latin Gang's territory.

Mark led them in circles through the Latin Gang's territory, and the criminal evidence he had previously uncovered against the Latin Gang, as expected, also fell into their hands.

He guessed that they might belong to some official organization. Otherwise, it was unlikely they could dispatch three elite hackers at once.

Now that they had obtained evidence of the Latin Gang's crimes, they could not possibly ignore it.

After doing all that, Mark decisively withdrew.

"Alice, hold them off for me."

Mark gave Alice the order.

"Okay, Mark."

Alice immediately sent massive amounts of disguised data packets toward the three hackers pursuing them, laying down layer after layer of camouflage and traps.

Although the three of them could crack through the disguises quickly when working together, they were still far inferior to an intelligent program like Alice.

The three were soon drowned in the overwhelming flood of disguised data packets and completely lost Mark's trail.

Edgar could only report the failed pursuit to Nick Fury.

Although Nick Fury was disappointed, there was nothing he could do. He could only decide to recruit and train more talent in network technology in the future.

"By the way, Director, while tracing that hacker, we found a great deal of criminal evidence against a local gang called the Latin Gang. He most likely led us there deliberately. What should we do...?"

Edgar also told Nick Fury about this matter.

"It isn't convenient for S.H.I.E.L.D. to interfere in local affairs. Send the evidence to the Los Angeles police department!"

Nick Fury answered casually at first, then seemed to think of something. A sharp glint flashed in his one eye. "He clearly wants to use our power against the Latin Gang. Maybe we can follow this lead and uncover his true identity."

He immediately called Phil Coulson.

"Coulson, send someone to Los Angeles. Investigate a local gang called the Latin Gang and see who they've clashed with recently."

"Yes, Director!"

"Mark, they've stopped tracking you."

Hearing Alice's reminder, Mark could not help but let out a sigh of relief. "Just as I thought. Unless they also have an artificial intelligence program like you, there's no way they can break through your disguises and trace my real IP!"

After this incident, Mark could use his hacking skills without worry in the future. He no longer had to fear someone coming after him.

Before he knew it, the sky had darkened.

The plane's speed still could not compare to the Earth's rotation. Although it had been flying toward the sun the entire time, dusk still arrived.

By then, the plane had entered Japan and was slowly descending toward Tokyo Airport.

Once the plane came to a stop, Mark left with the crew and found a nearby five-star hotel to stay in.

When the sun rose again tomorrow morning, the plane would take off once more.

"I already have 4,267 Sunlight Value!"

After returning to the hotel, Mark checked his current Sunlight Value and was immediately overjoyed.

It had only been one day, yet he had gained so much Sunlight Value.

In just over ten more days, he would be able to upgrade Super Brain to level 10 and unlock a new superpower!

Malibu Cliffside Villa.

It was morning in Los Angeles. Tony Stark had just seen a stunningly curvaceous model out the door.

Ever since coming to Los Angeles, Tony Stark had been living in this villa.

Because he regularly brought Hollywood stars and models into the villa, news of his arrival in Los Angeles was quickly exposed.

Recently, the headlines of major Los Angeles newspapers had been filled with photos and stories of Tony Stark entering and leaving malls and hotels with yet another celebrity.

"JARVIS, what has that kid Mark been doing lately?"

Tony Stark asked in an apparently casual tone.

Everyone assumed that this playboy had come to Los Angeles to flirt with beautiful women everywhere, just as he always had.

But what Tony Stark did not want to admit was that, after arriving in Los Angeles, he had actually been more interested in finding out about Mark.

"Mark left Los Angeles by plane. He should have arrived in Japan by now."

JARVIS quickly found Mark's whereabouts.

"What... What is that kid doing in Japan?"

Tony Stark was somewhat bewildered.

"Reason unknown."

JARVIS replied.

"Looks like that kid has secrets!"

Even JARVIS could not find the answer. A look of surprise appeared on Tony Stark's face.