Anonymous attackers had run rampant through financial systems, sending stock markets in several countries into free fall. Defense networks in multiple nations suffered frequent "accidents" that nearly sparked international conflicts. In some already tense regions, these incidents added fuel to the fire, triggering small-scale armed clashes. Behind them all were faint traces of manipulation by an artificial intelligence.
Tony and the Avengers were overwhelmed, working around the clock to track down the source.
Every lead pointed to Ultron.
Like a ghost, it roamed freely through the vast ocean of data, using the internet to sow chaos and provoke conflicts, forcing the Avengers to race around the world and struggle to keep up.
Yet it only caused scattered disturbances and took no further action. By all rights, it could have created a much greater crisis, which left the Avengers puzzled.
None of this concerned Hermione, however.
At that moment, she was with Agatha and Wanda in a barren wilderness far from any settlements.
This was the first time Agatha had taken the initiative to contact her through the Witch Mark.
"The Book of Cagliostro certainly lives up to its reputation." Agatha stroked the ancient tome, greed and excitement gleaming in her eyes. "Little Wanda's power has begun to stabilize. She's learned quite a few techniques for controlling her power from the book lately. The Scarlet Witch's potential... tsk, tsk. It truly knows no bounds."
Wanda stood nearby, red chaos energy flickering at her fingertips.
Compared with the fear and wariness she had shown toward Agatha when they first met, she now seemed much calmer.
With no direct conflict of interest between them, and after studying magic together, she had discovered to her surprise that this centuries-old witch was actually fairly pleasant company, aside from her occasional bouts of eccentricity. Both rather